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More utility customers get credit for excess power

More wind and solar energy users in Michigan are getting billing credit for excess power they generate.

State regulators issued a report last week showing utility customers with their own windmills and solar panels onsite increased the net metering program's production size by 55 percent from 2011 to 2012.

There also were more than 300 additional residential or business customers taking part in the program last year than the year before.

The net metering program is required under energy laws approved five years ago. About 1,300 utility customers that produce more wind and solar power than they need are receiving credit for power provided back to the serving utility.